Margot Robbie Confesses the Most Painful Failure of Her Care

Margot Robbie, the Australian actress known for her roles in The Wolf of Wall Street, Once Upon a Time in… Hollywood, and The Suicide Squad, has built a diverse and successful career in Hollywood. However, in a candid interview, Robbie opened up about the film that remains the most painful failure of her career: Babylon, directed by Damien Chazelle. Although Babylon has since developed a cult following and is viewed more favorably in hindsight, its initial reception left a significant mark on Robbie.

Babylon‘s Initial Reception: A Rollercoaster Ride

Released in 2022, Babylon was a highly anticipated film, especially given its director, Damien Chazelle, known for his Oscar-winning film La La Land. The film, which explores the chaotic and extravagant early days of Hollywood, starred an ensemble cast including Brad Pitt, Diego Calva, and Margot Robbie. Robbie played the role of Nellie LaRoy, a young woman eager to break into the Hollywood film industry during the 1920s. The film depicted the underbelly of the movie business, highlighting both the glitz and the grind of the industry.

Despite the star-studded cast and Chazelle‘s vision, Babylon was met with mixed reactions upon its release. While the film’s chaotic, over-the-top nature captivated some audiences, it was harshly criticized by others. On FilmAffinity, the film earned a modest 6.9/10 rating, a reflection of its polarizing reception. Critics were divided, with 21 positive reviews, 19 negative, and 16 mixed. The film’s length, bizarre narrative choices, and explicit content contributed to its divisive reception. For Robbie, however, the critical backlash felt like a personal setback.

The Painful Reflection

In recent interviews, Margot Robbie admitted that Babylon remains the most painful failure of her career. Reflecting on the film’s initial reception, Robbie expressed her disbelief, saying, “I wonder if in 20 years people are going to be like, ‘Wait, Babylon didn’t do well at the time? That’s crazy.’” The film, despite its initial struggles, has gained a significant fan base over time, with many praising its boldness and Chazelle‘s attempt to portray the dark side of Hollywood. However, for Robbie, the mixed reception in the early days was a difficult reality to face.

Although Babylon was not a commercial success at the time, the film’s cultural impact cannot be overlooked. Over time, it has found a dedicated audience that appreciates its audacity and the way it challenges the traditional portrayal of Hollywood. This late shift in opinion is something that Robbie seems to take comfort in, even if the pain of its failure still lingers. For the actress, the film represented a leap of faith into a deeply unconventional project that ultimately didn’t resonate with mainstream audiences when it was first released.

A Story of Hollywood’s Excesses

Babylon offers a scathing critique of Hollywood’s excesses, depicting how the industry consumes both its stars and the hopefuls trying to break in. In the film, Robbie’s character, Nellie LaRoy, navigates the harsh realities of Hollywood, from fame to failure, while Brad Pitt‘s character represents a seasoned star struggling with the changing dynamics of the industry. The film’s portrayal of the high highs and devastating lows of Hollywood fame is chaotic and intense, which may have contributed to its initial mixed reception. However, as with many films of this nature, it often takes time for audiences to recognize and appreciate such an ambitious work.

Babylon in Retrospect: A Cult Classic in the Making

Although Babylon was not a commercial success at the time of its release, it has since gained a cult following. As the years pass, some critics and fans have re-evaluated the film, appreciating its daring vision and the depth of its portrayal of Hollywood’s golden age. The film is now considered by many as a hidden gem of modern cinema, admired for its boldness and the performances of its lead actors, including Margot Robbie.

For Robbie, seeing Babylon transform from a critical failure to a beloved cult classic must be both gratifying and bittersweet. The actress has long been admired for her range and dedication to her craft, and despite the film’s initial struggles, her role in Babylon remains a testament to her versatility as an actor.